Monday 9 April 2018 Betka River

Sunday afternoon found R, L & M heading south and hopping the border to sample some Victorian waters. Crossing the Wallagaraugh River we noted little water in the river and wondered if, on Tuesday's paddle, we would make our aim of the Black Allan Line some 6kms downstream of the highway.
After crossing the the Genoa River we turned left off the highway and upon reaching our destination, Gypsy Point Lodge, we found V&S already ensconced having, according to the proprietor, appropriated the best room!
Over dinner L explained the different paddle options available.

Due to the unfavourable winds forecast for Monday (23kph by 7.00am, reaching 35kmp by 1.00pm) the Betka River was decided upon as it looked to be the most sheltered stretch of water and a departure time of 9.00am was declared.

Having checked out our point of departure it was time to set off from the Betka River mouth which has been closed for some time.  All were on water by 10.35am.

CKC well on its way along the Betka River with the breeze beginning to kick up.

Rounding the corner we passed a low isle upon which a variety of birdlife were taking their ease: Swans, which departed the scene at our approach, Little Egrets, dwarfed by a Great Egret, Pied Cormorants and Ibis.

The Betka River is quite open with dense bushland either side of the river. No farmland in sight.

Group discussion about a good place to stop for a leg stretch and some morning tea saw us stopping at 11.24am.

After our refreshments we took to the water once again at 11.45am.

M drew our attention to the noticeable number of eucalypts in flower. Some discussion was had as to whether it was normal for this time of the year, or were they in distress.  Hmm, some post paddle homework is in order.

At 12.50pm L called for a halt at this less than salubrious lunch site. We set our chairs up in a line like we were waiting for public transport, with M & L as the book ends, and with the rest of us playing 'pass the packed lunch' and wondering where in hell were we going to pee!
Disappointed that, because of paddling into the wind for the last 5kms, we hadn't paddled as far as we could go; El Capitano reminded us that we could be facing stronger winds on the way back.

Embarking once more, and all on the water at 1.25pm L takes time to show S & R where we were on the Betka River.  S & R had map envy having failed to print and pack theirs' pre Mallacoota trip.  Note to selves (S & R) - more effort required for future paddles!

Wind kicked up strong gusts from time to time but it was at our backs and so some of us used our paddles to best advantage.  We set our feathering at zero and held our paddles horizontally so as to use them as sails and it worked to some effect pushing us along at a pace.

Not many snags or obstacles to maneuver on this river but we did come across a few.

Smooth waters changed to ripples in places as the wind came and went intermittently.

R watching an egret in flight and marvelling at the beauty of it.  One of the many reasons we love to kayak.

2.20pm sees CKC stopping for a leg stretch before getting back on the water at 2.30pm.

At last a strong wind asssit at our backs saw us sprinting for home with R attempting to utilise 'paddle sail' assist for extra impact.  However, as L had warned us, the strong breeze hit us head on when we rounded the last bend and it was quite the effort to bring it home.

3.14pm sees CKC back at the inlet and unloading our equipment for the return drive to Gipsy Point Lodge for a much earned cold drink and looking forward to dinner at the Lodge itself.

Almost packed up and ready to depart.

Cheese and wine on the deck of rooms 1 and 2 at Gipsy Point Lodge, with M & L joining us from their Mulloway Cottage for the day's debrief, and then on to the lodge for a pleasant dinner and an early night to bed.  Looking forward to tomorrow's paddle to the Victorian/NSW border on the Wallagaraugh River.
Note: Mulloway Cottage being the central morning meeting place where breakfasts were had and trip lunches made, thanks to the generosity of M & L.

Trip Notes:

Put In/Take Out: Betka River Mouth

13kms

5hrs 20mins

Tuesday 3rd April 2018 Bermagui River

L had suggested that we launch on the river side of the Bermagui Marina to take advantage of the incoming tide so that we could 'woosh' up the river.  G & R arrived at 9.10am to unload and set up for a planned on the water start of 9:30am.  L & M and V & S arrived shortly thereafter and we managed to get out onto the water by 9:45am after the necessary trailer shuffle and parking.

We followed L out into the channel, turning right to head out toward the ocean to take a look and needless to say M was nowhere in sight.  We rode the swell back into the river channel (that was fun) to head up river on the 'wooshing' tide (we found M tucked up behind the Marina groin waiting for us to return.  There was no way M was going to paddle close to open ocean!)

With the Bermi Bridge in sight and the sleeker, faster boats making a faster start we headed up river in the beautiful clear blue waters of the Bermagui River.

With not a lot of paddling required it was an easy ride over the oyster beds and into the River proper.

The Mangroves were beckoning and S and R decided to take a little side tripin the hopes of finding a shortcut through the Mangroves and popping back out into the river in front of the gang.

Alas it was a dead end with no way through and S & R were forced to double back out of the Mangroves and into the main river channel.  On our way out V & L had come in to take a look with V following us back out and L continuing on to have a poke around in another lagoon.

An early lunch break (11.20am) was agreed upon as we drew close to our Nutleys Creek Rd/River Rd put in point of the previous Bermi River paddle. 

Here we enjoyed a leisurely lunch for an hour and a quarter finishing with a group crossword challenge, and with an eye on the river to determine the change of tide, 2 sticks were tossed into the river and a paddle, by way of measurement, stuck in the river bank, it was determined at 12.53pm that return tide assist had kicked in. 

 

A reversing pile up!!

Some of us heard Icecream!  Some of us didn't!

Homeward bound we had tide assist but were hampered just a little by a breeze that had kicked up.  With the tide receding we had to watch for oyster beds just breaking the surface of the water with El Capitan warning us and steering us in the right direction.








Some of the 'locals' venturing out to dinner in Bermi.

 The Bermi Bridge pylons exposed as the tide recedes.

And here we are returning under the Bermi Bridge to our put in spot at the Marina

We were off the water by 2.10pm where upon it was decided that an Icecream from the artisan icecreamery at the wharf was definitely in order.

Trip Notes:
Put in: Bermagui Marina River Beach
Take out: Bermagui Marina River Beach
High Tide: 10.26am
11.6km
4hrs 25 mins